Mixtape Mondays: Family Edition with Federation Sound x Agent Sasco, Iron Lyon + DJ Jam Central

Words by Kali Madden

With more than half the year in our rear view, we’ve spent the majority of the calendar cooped up inside. August is a celebratory month for Jamaicans, with Jamaican Emancipation and Independence falling on August 1st and 6th, respectively, and, as far as Jamaican music goes, the good vibes have been flowing. For this week’s edition of Mixtape Mondays, we’re checking in with some long-time LargeUp family, and highlighting their latest mixes. If you’ve read LargeUp over the years, you’re sure to recognize the names of the DJs featured this week, as not only have we featured their work before, most have also written for us as well.

In the spirit of Jamaican celebration, string up the sound and turn it up loud with this week’s selections.

Federation Sound x Agent Sasco – Red Light

Action ting, Federation ting — it’s a good look with Federation Sound‘s latest. The New York-based DJ crew led by Max Glazer and Kenny Meez connect with LargeUp contributor and New York music scene staple DJ Treats and Jamaica’s GLDN EYE (formerly Tom Cruz) to present Red Light, a compilation of remixed material from the extensive catalog of dancehall icon Agent Sasco – another staple of these pages. The fire mix positions Sasco’s deejaying over beats by Just Blaze & Baauer (“Higher”), Tony Seltzer f.k.a. Yung Gutted (“Clappings”) and Suku’s Haunting Riddim (“Shell”), offering a full display of Sasco’s signature versatility, with dancehall and hip-hop. Also included is the new remix of Sasco’s latest single “Loco” featuring Bounty Killer and Kabaka Pyramid. Listen here:

Iron Lyon – Dancehall to di World

Making the reunion rounds, we’re catching up with extended LargeUp fam and Faction Sound member Iron Lyon, resident DJ at Miami’s up top venues LIV, E11even, Space and Sway. Fresh on the block for the summer is his latest mix Dancehall to di World, featuring brand new music from Koffee, Jahvillani, Prince Swanny, TeeJay, Popcaan, Vybz Kartel and more of 2020’s finest. The mix opens with a scratch salute to Koffee’s summer single “Lockdown,” giving way to the question we’ve all been asking: Where will we go when the quarantine ting done? The 60-minute dancehall mix is also available for download here! Stream below:

DJ Jam Central – CalaBashment: Vol. 3

With travel limited these days, the only way for most of us to catch a plane is through music. Hailing from NYC by way of Trinidad and Barbados, DJ Jam Central specializes in making links between Africa and the Caribbean — you may remember him as the DJ behind Vol. 1 in the LargeUp Mix Series, which also happened to be the first mix dedicated to afro soca, the fusion of afrobeats and soca. (Many others have done it since). His latest mix, the dancehall x afrobeats-focused CalaBashemnt Vol. 3, showcases precise blends with hot summer songs such as Shenseea’s “Trick’a Treat,” Odunsi’s “The Engine” featuring RAYE, Ms. Banks’ “Snack” featuring Kida Kudz, and lots more fire! Pour a shot, light up the home speaker and turn up like no one is watching with CalaBashment Vol. 3 here:

Shout out to the international LargeUp family all over the globe and all the top selectors making it work for the quarantine. Keep the fire blazing and keep sharing them right here on Mixtape Mondays. Bless up till next time.